The climate in Agadir is Mediterranean. This climate type is characterised by long hot summers and mild, rainy winters. However, summers are milder, winters much, much warmer and rainfall a bit lower in Agadir than in European Mediterranean resorts; most would consider this a positive thing. These conditions are due to its location in Africa and its exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean. Sunshine is plentiful with an average of 12-14 hours of sun during the summer months. As you head inland from the coast the climate becomes more extreme. The Atlas Mountains to the North and West are much cooler with snow visible on the peaks during the winter. Blowing sand and dust in the air occurs most often in July through September. Visitors to Agadir can directly experience the desert climate conditions of the Western Sahara by driving just a few hours south of the city.
Generally Morocco records the majority of its precipitations in the coastal areas from November to March. There is an almost zero chance of seeing any rain in July or August. Agadir is a city located in southwest Morocco, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in close proximity to the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The entirety of the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer with a much cooler climate at higher altitudes in the mountains. Agadir lies just north of the mouth of the Sousse River and is home to an amazingly white sandy beach, which is lined with eucalyptus, thyme and tamarind trees and protected from the wind and waves of the ocean by Ghir Cape.
Summer, one of only two real seasons in Agadir, falls between May and November. Summers are hot and dry with average highs peaking at 26°C from July till September. Rainfall is barely worth mentioning but picks up slightly in October. Showers are brief and infrequent. During the past 30 years there has never been measurable rainfall recorded during the months of July and August. May and June are similar with an average of less than .1 inches of rain. By the end of the summer in November you may experience a shower on average 4 days of the month. The rare thunderstorm may happen towards the end of the summer in October or November but they are infrequent and do not last very long.
The sun shines 14 hours each day in June. You can count on at least 12 hours of sunshine per day from May through September. Morning ocean fog rolls in once or twice a week but quickly dissipates once the sun rises. The Atlantic is much cooler than the Mediterranean and only gets up to a peak water temperature of 21°C in August and September. It is still warm enough for swimming for the whole season and the cool waters provide a break from the heat. Temperatures nearing the 40s can sometimes be blown in by wind from the Sahara. These heat waves can also be accompanied by high wind speeds and even sand storms. Wind speeds at most average 10 mph though with very pleasant evening and morning breezes off the ocean. The highest temperature ever recorded during the summer was 47° C and the lowest 12° C. Evening and morning humidity is highest in the summer months but the dew point makes it feel comfortable.
Winter, the other season, runs from December till April. The month features warm days and cold nights with the odd shower. The average high temperature generally doesn't fall below 20°C. There is such low humidity that you feel very comfortable. Night times get very cool, usually below 10°C which warrants bringing a light jacket and sweater this time of year. January is the coolest month with an average high of 20°C and an average low of 8°C. It can even drop down to almost freezing. You can expect a minimum of close to 10 hours of sunshine daily though by April the sun can be seen close to 12 hours per day most of the time. Rainfall is at its peak at the start of the season, but rainfall levels are still only at 52 mm for December which is similar to any month in England in Agadir this small amount of rain is not dragged out in endless drizzle but dealt with efficiently in short, heavy showers. Thunderstorms occur on maybe 3 days out of the entire year with December being the only winter month where you may see a thunderstorm. December too has the coldest average ocean temperatures of 15° C. The rest of the winter ocean temperatures range between 16-18° C on average. Sunshine levels remain good but if you're trying to sunbathe you may find it only gets quite hot enough in the middle of the day, and outdoor pools often don't heat up properly after the chilly nights. Other than March, with an average of 4 days decreased visibility due to sand blowing in from the desert, the days are generally clear. The winds, year round most often out of the west, increase slightly in March but never go above 11 mph at their peak. Morning fog only occurs a few days a month.
Agadir is unlike other Moroccan cities, a result of the 1960 earthquake which effectively destroyed the entirety of the city. North Africa is not generally known for earthquakes though there had been a deadly earthquake in Algeria six years earlier. The quake in Agadir was the most destructive and deadliest earthquake in the history of Morocco. The first tremor was felt after 11 PM at night and measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. Nearly three quarters of the city was destroyed. The resulting tsunami swept over 300 yards inland. The earthquake killed one third of the Agadir's population and leaving 35,000 people homeless. Two days after the earthquake, which occurred on the evening of February 29th, the whole city was evacuated to prevent the spread of disease. The city was then completely rebuilt 3km south of its original location.
Some of the world's most famous architects were involved in this rebuilding. Agadir is now a modern city of luxury hotels, golf courses and high-rises; if you are in search of an authentic Moroccan town, Agadir is certainly not the place to visit. Agadir is a white city, home to beautiful gardens, sculptural buildings, an ultramodern airport, white beaches and mass tourism.